Are you installing cast iron guttering and wondering whether you need to invest in a reliable cast iron gutter sealant?
Luckily, the team of experts at Rainclear Systems can answer all your sealant queries.
Regardless of whether you’d like to learn how to seal cast iron gutter joints or want to find out if silicone is the best sealant option for a new metal rainwater system, simply carry on reading.
Do you need to seal cast iron guttering?
Yes, cast iron gutter sealant is necessary when installing this type of rainwater system because it prevents water from leaking between joints.
It is inserted between the joints of the different cast iron guttering sections.
How to seal cast iron gutter joints
The type of cast iron guttering profile you opt for will help determine which of the two sealing methods explained below will be best for your rainwater system.
Silicone has been the traditional solution used for most profiles, whereas the patented EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber) Hydrostrips, developed by Rainclear, are a more recent innovation designed to be faster, cleaner and more reliable than silicone.
Silicone sealant: To seal cast iron guttering using a traditional silicone cast iron gutter sealant, first check the joint area (on both lengths of gutter) is clean and free from debris. The silicone should then be carefully applied and spread evenly into the gutter socket (at the end of one length) and additional sealant should also be applied around the spigot of the other length before placing it into the socket.
The two components should then be compressed together using the guttering nuts or bolts and washers, and any excess silicone sealant wiped away (NB. if the excess bolt thread is on the outside the gutter, then it is less likely to catch and hold any debris causing a blockage).
Hydrostrips sealant: Patented by Rainclear Systems, Hydrostrips are suitable for both half-round and beaded half-round cast iron guttering profiles. To use this dry-jointing gutter sealing kit, you should push the dome-head bolt through the spigot from above and into the hole within the supplied rubber strip.
The bolt should then be pushed through to the underside of the guttering (leaving a 3mm gap between gutter lengths) with the socket end underneath the strip. The square nut can then be fixed and tightened onto the underside of the guttering once you’ve ensured it’s clean and free from obstruction.
Any excess rubber can then be trimmed using a sharp knife.
For more information about Hydrostrip installation, please check out our guide.
Searching for cast iron guttering?
At Rainclear Systems, we can supply our customers an assortment of helpful guttering accessories (including cast iron gutter sealant) to help with a long-lasting installation of your cast iron rainwater management system and ensure a stunning finish.
So, if you’re on the lookout for high-quality cast iron guttering for your home or business, look no further than Rainclear Systems.
Our cast iron collection includes two separate but equally impressive ranges; Foundry and Apex.
Each one includes a selection of traditional cast iron guttering profiles to suit a wide variety of traditional or heritage-style properties.
Regardless of whether you’re searching for moulded-ogee, Victorian ogee, standard half-round, beaded or deep half-round guttering design, you can find them all here.
If you’d like to learn more about our cast iron gutter sealant, Hydrostrip packs, or have any other enquiries regarding cast iron guttering, don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can either give us a call on 0800 644 44 26, email us at [email protected], or fill in our convenient online contact form.